To catch a predator

More than half of the people arrested in a prostitution sting in Bellevue are off the hook after it was revealed that law enforcement had accidentally recorded audio of their encounters with the alleged johns.

Undercover officers and detectives from the Bellevue Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office posed as prostitutes to gather evidence about people buying sex online. The operation involved hidden cameras. But, in addition to capturing video footage, the cameras also recorded audio in 61 of the 110 cases.

Washington state is a “two-party consent” state, meaning that all sides of a recorded conversation must be aware of the fact that they’re being recorded. Twelve states have this legal requirement.

The City Attorney’s Office dismissed those 61 cases. The remaining 49 will go forward.

Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC